City-Break Destinations For New Year 2018

26 September 2017

If you’re looking to celebrate New Year in style, join us as we tour the top seven city-break destinations for New Year 2018.

Sydney, Australia

This global city is known for hosting memorable New Year’s Eve celebrations in Sydney Harbour. The occasion begins with pre-show entertainment, such as aerial displays, at 6pm. The ‘Welcome to the Country’ show, where Aboriginal ceremonies such as the release of eucalyptus smoke to ward off bad spirits, will be held at 8.30pm. The ‘Family Fireworks’ light show for children follows at 9pm, after which the ‘Harbour of Light Parade’ where illuminated ships ‘dance’ in the water follows. The main event, Sydney’s riotous 12-minute long ‘Fireworks Display’ caps off the evening.

Hong Kong, China

Another popular destination is Hong Kong, which throws an annual firework display at Victoria Harbour. Join the crowds as they gaze at the countdown to midnight clock projected onto the face of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. When the clock hits 11pm, bursts of shimmering lights will be shot up from skyscrapers surrounding the harbour every 15 minutes. The evening culminates at midnight with a dazzling fireworks and pyrotechnics show. You may also want to stop by the live street party being held by the Hong Kong Tourism Board at Tsim Sha Tsui Pier.

Goa, India

Party past the stroke of midnight on one of the golden sandy beaches for which Goa is renowned. The hottest parties often take place on and around the iconic Anjuna Beach, where you can expect bonfires, music, fireworks and plenty of revelling. One Goa event that’s not to be missed is the annual ‘Hilltop Goa New Year’s Eve’ party, an electronic music event held at the legendary Hilltop Nightclub in Vagator. This year’s event is scheduled to include acts such as Astral Projection, Goatika and SKSD, who are sure to create a night to remember. If you’re looking for a more secluded location to ring in the New Year, pristine stretches of shore like the ‘Butterfly’ and ‘Hollant’ beaches are great spots.

Berlin, Germany

New Year is an all-day event in Berlin. The occasion begins in the morning, with a fancy dress race called the ‘Berliner Silvesterlauf’, where participants flip pancakes as they run around the city. As the sun sets, people gather in the 2km area between the Victory Column and the Brandenburg Gate for live music performances, as well as light and laser shows. The night ends with a spectacular fireworks display, which is best seen from Teufelsberg and Viktoriapark. Another popular Berlin New Year event is the techno music party HYTE Berlin, held annually at the Funkhaus Berlin venue.

London, UK

London’s New Year celebrations are always a sight to behold. Join the crowds at the London Eye as they gather to watch the city’s iconic ‘New Year’s Eve Fireworks’ show, gazing in awe as colourful displays illuminate the Thames. Party like a VIP at the Roof Gardens Club in Kensington, attend a lavish New Year’s ball at Battersea Evolution, or relax in Hyde Park for a spectacular view of the fireworks.

New York, USA

There’s one New York location everybody flocks to for New Year’s: Times Square. New York’s heart welcomes hundreds of thousands of revellers each year for the occasion, as they wait with baited breath for the ball on top of the One Times Square building to ‘drop’, marking the beginning of the year. This year’s celebration will be one to remember, with up to a million people expected to show up. There are a range of other events you could attend across the city; watch fireworks light up the sky at Coney Island or listen to live music at Prospect Park as you ring in the New Year.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Nobody throws a party like the citizens of Rio de Janeiro. They host legendary New Year’s bashes called ‘Reveillons’ around Copacabana Beach, a palm-lined stretch of soft golden sands. Copacabana becomes a carnival with live music performances, samba dancing and of course, fireworks at midnight. While you’re here, take part in an annual ritual by floating candles and throwing flowers into the ocean, as a woman portraying the traditional goddess Iemanjá, the ‘Goddess of the Ocean’ rises from the water. This ceremony is designed to bring good luck for the 12 months ahead.